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Dorada, is an autonomous state comprising the Democratic People's Republic of Sonora and is the revival of the secessionist micronation of the same name founded in 2014. It is located in northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was once a state of the Republic of the Oasis Islands from December 2012 until its dissolution on 19 April 2014. On 28 April 2014, Titus Smith, the then-Governor and Senator of Costa Dorada, declared the state independent and sovereign and proclaimed himself Chairman. He led it as a socialist micronation until October 1st, when it became an autocratic regime, while giving up its socialist aspects and himself becoming President. Following a period of inactivity, the nation dissolved on November 30th. With the growing number of territories under the Shaoshanian state, Costa Dorada was revived as a Shaoshanian region but with a different capital. The region comprises the then-capital and now defunct town of Verde and the Town of Dorada, and several territories. Following the Monarchist Revolution in Shaoshan, the Greater Region of Costa Dorada became an Archduchy with some autonomy, but under direct authority of the Imperial Crown. After the Restoration of the Republic on August 1st, Costa Dorada was declared a state and the capital moved to a newly established capital city, New Dorada. In October 2015, the state was reformed into a city-state with governing and judicial oversight over nearby territories within its reach and renamed simply "Dorada" and its capital renamed as "Dorada City", which also served as the legislative and judicial capital of the Republic. In April 2016, power was transferred back to the original capital city and Dorada fell into inactivity and near extinction. It was downgraded to a town in October 2016 and was declared a vassal state in December 4, 2016 of the Empire of Sonora.

History

Pre-Micronationalism

For 13,000 to 15,000 years, Native American Tribes inhabited the areas of what is now the Western United States. It wasn't until the 1500s that Spanish conquerors laid claim to the lands of what is now modern-day California and the American southwest. In 1602, Spanish explorer, Sebastián Vizcaíno mapped the region as New Spain. From 1769-1821, California was ruled by the Spanish Empire. Following the Mexican War of Independece, California entered a brief period under Mexican rule (1821-1846) under the regimes of the Mexican Empire (1821-1823), the First Mexican Republic (1824-1835), and finally the autocratic Centralist Republic (1835-1846). In 1846, citizens and new settlers in the area revolted against the regime in a movement that became known as the Bear Flag Revolt. California declared independence from Mexico on June 14, 1846, setting up its capital in Sonoma. The California Republic lasted for less than a month before being occupied by American forces. Following the ensuing war with Mexico, California and the American southwest were seized. During the years of 1849 and 1850, eastern and European settlers began swarming to California with the discovery of gold. California was granted statehood in 1850 and for the next one hundred and fifty years, it continued to grow and thrive with the building and continuous expansion of cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Two significant earthquakes ravaged the region in 1906 and 1989, causing significant damage and loss of life, mostly due to fires, infrastructure collapse, and liquefaction. Major construction to reinforce and strengthen buildings have been in place since the early 1990s. Coupled with the technology boom, the business sector turned towards the digital age. Innovations such as social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Internet groups such as Google took on a role of importance in the 21st century. Further development including alternative energy and green technology has led to a slight resurgence in California's economy following the economic downturn of 2008.

Starland and Sonora Era

In 2008, within the East Bay, a interest in micronationalism began to grow. Finally, on August 28, 2009, what became the nation of Starland declared its soveriegnty and independence from California and from the United States. The nation was essentially an 3 year micronational experiment that went through many stages: a kingdom, a federal republic, an empire, a short-lived socialist state, a social democratic republic, and a democratic republic. Starland dissolved in early April 2012 following the truth about the micronational experiment and was later replaced by the short-lived Kingdom of Sonora which dissolved in August 2012. Sonora was later replaced by the state of Costa Dorada under the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Oasis Islands.

Oasis Islands Era

Following a brief retirement from micronationalism, Titus Smith returned to the micronational community, albeit quietly and more reserved. His intent was to build his micronational experience and professionalism and to base his territory on fact, not fiction. He teamed up with his old friend and ally, Casey Hamlin, after Hamlin created a new micronation. From December 2012-April 2014, Smith administered Costa Dorada as its Governor and represented it in the Oasis Islands Senate. During which time, he co-founded the Oasis People's Party with Hamlin, whom he served with for one year. In June 2013, Smith was appointed Vice President of the Oasis Islands following Daniel Stefanko's resignation. With Hamlin's Presidential reelection in November 2013, Vice President Smith maintained his position as well. However, when he decided to leave the ruling People's Party on November 11th, his position as Senate Majority Leader was transferred to former Vice President Stefanko. With the onset of 2014, the Oasis Islands began to fall into inactivity, coupled with its leaders personal lives outside micronationalism. On April 19, 2014, Casey Hamlin resigned as President, retired from micronationalism, and dissolved the Republic of the Oasis Islands. In a sense of maintaining and carrying on this legacy and wishing to remain in micronationalism, Titus Smith declared Costa Dorada to be an independent socialist state on April 28, 2014.

Establishment of a State and Return to Self-Rule

Following the April 28th declaration, Smith quickly set to work to build the foundations of a legitimate and functioning state. Just days after forming the nation, Costa Dorada's website was launched, complete with a news agency. In the weeks that followed, a new set of laws of government, foreign policy, social policy and business began to develop. In June 2014, a new set of guiding laws, setting up the duties of the Chairman and the Provisional Revolutionary Council were set up. Within the months that followed, Costa Dorada entered a state of semi-inactivity. On August 30, 2014, Doradan state media announced that the government seat would move from Sonora to the new Mao Tse Tung City.

New Capital, New Era

On 3 September 2014, the Provisional Revolutionary Council passed the "Seat of Government Dissolution and Replacement Act", effectively disestablishing its largest city, Sonora, as the capital city and transferring all executive, judicial, and legislative duties of the government to Mao Zedong City at noon on September 15th. During the transitional process, several measures entered into effect including a beautification project of the surrounding area. This project included the establishment of "Red Square" just outside the Assembly Chamber. Shortly after, Smith enacted an executive order and called for a meeting of the Provisional Revolutionary Council, who stood by the act, which would lay the groundwork for a more permanent government for Costa Dorada, a constitutional convention, and a potential elected governing body. On 15 September 2014, the Provisional Revolutionary Council voted to dissolve and placed all authority in the hands of Titus Smith. The title of Chairman was abolished and Smith appointed to the title of Consul, leaving him the responsibility of setting up elections, establishing a committee to help draft a constitution, and set up a permanent and stable government. An election was called for September 30th to vote on whether the nation would be autocratic, a soviet democracy, or if the people had any faith in the government at all. Results from the election showed that Doradans preferred an autocratic government while rejecting socialist-style principles. Future elections were originally planned for late 2014 or 2015 to elect the leader of the nation and to potentially vote on ratifying a constitution.

Dissolution

Following a breakdown in talks and scheduling conflicts outside of micronationalism, an emergency meeting was called in mid-November to discuss the nation's future. It was decided that Costa Dorada should dissolve, a suggestion that was ultimately agreed upon. On November 30th, Costa Dorada returned its territories to California and the United States and dissolved.

Revival

Following an extensive period of dissolution, Costa Dorada was revived in July 2015 as a way of restoring order in Shaoshan and paying homage to Doradan ethnicity. Following the monarchist revolution, Costa Dorada became an Archuchy under the Californian Empire of Shaoshan, endowed with certain powers but still under direct discretion of the Imperial Crown. After the Restoration of the Republic, it became a state under a federal union of three states. In October 2015, it was reformed into a city-state along with Marxia and Caldonia and its name was simplified to Dorada and its capital as Dorada City with the legislative and judicial power of the Republic being central there. On March 17, 2016, Shaoshan became a monarchy and Dorada transitioned into a Principality with the Shaoshanian monarch as its head of state. Following the April 5th Coup, Shaoshan returned to a republican state and soon transitioned towards a more autocratic form of governance. Despite opposition forces, Dorada became the first to accept the regime change. In September 2016, Titus Smith was voted out of power through a democratic election, ending the regime. Following this, Dorada fell into inactivity and disarray. The Doradan Assembly was dissolved and the entity downgraded to the status of a town. In December 2016, Shaoshan dissolved and the Empire of Sonora was born with Dorada becoming a vassal state. Following the August 2017 socialist revolution, it abolished the monarchy and became a autonomous, yet autocratic, people's republic.

Geography

Dorada is situated in the San Francisco Bay Area in the inland lying areas, just a short drive from the scenic Napa Valley and just an hour away from Sacramento, San Francisco and the San Joaquin valleys.

Climate

The climate is that of a Mediterranean climate with cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The cool California Current offshore often creates summer fog near the coast with colder winters and hotter summers inland. Rainfall is more persistent in the region than its southern counterpart. Temperatures range from 32°F (0°C) in winter to up to 110°F (43°C) in the summer. Due to hot, dry summers and sometimes windy conditions, wildfires are commonplace. In winter, moderate rainfall is a common occurrence, sometimes resulting in flooding, especially in areas near rivers and streams. However, it is also not unusual to experience drought, some lasting 1-3 years, some lasting longer. Warm and cold air sometimes producing spectacular thunderstorms in the spring and autumn, some producing rain or hail, others can spark wildfires in dry conditions. These same warm and cold air collisions occasionally produce tornado-like clouds, often called "funnel clouds", although rarely do they touch down and those that do rarely last for longer than a few minutes and cause little to no damage.

Government

Dorada is run as a autonomous socialist state. As a state, its head of government is the Premier who operates the functions of the government and exercises the powers of state executive and can challenge federal law in Dorada upon request of the citizens. The Premier serves as the sole citizen and ruler of the state with the President of Sonora exercising federal authority and the Premier exercising state authority. Sonora provides defense in the form of the People's Defense and People's Armed Police Forces and the Premier is the commander-in-chief of the state paramilitary.

Demographics

Population

Dorada has a population of just one citizen.

Languages

English is the commonly spoken language Dorada, although Spanish is also spoken. English is the only language used for government, business, and other endeavors. While English is the common spoken language, no official language exists.

Culture

Religion

Freedom of Religion is guaranteed under Sonoran law and therefore, keeping with the old laws of Dorada, is also active in protecting against discrimination and hate speech is punishable by law. Doradan sentiment towards freedom of religious expression is a high priority, held in high regard, and it is the policy of the region to fight for religious freedom and fight against intolerance. In the 2014 Pavlovian Row, Dorada allied with micronationalists against the Pavlovian government's and Pavlovian Orthodox Church's anti-gay and religious discrimination policies and continues today, with its Sonoran parent, to pursue and fight against right wing fundamentalism in the MicroWiki community.

Media

While citizens acquired news from American newspapers, television news, or online media, Dorada also published news about events in and outside the nation. However, as of current, the only media print is through People's News, the official state-run news services of Sonora founded by Titus Smith in February 2015.